Connor Ripley is enjoying a successful loan spell with Motherwell but his long-term ambition is to be Middlesbrough’s No1.

In an exclusive interview with Gazette Boro Editor Philip Tallentire, the 23-year-old discussed the past, present and future.

Read on to find out what Ripley thinks of the Scottish Premiership, his chances of winning a place in Aitor Karanka’s team, what the future might hold in store, the play-off final at Wembley and his relationship with the Motherwell fans.

The young goalie also pays a moving tribute to Ali Brownlee.

Philip Tallentire: You joined Motherwell in July Connor, how has it gone so far?

Connor Ripley: “It’s been great to be honest. The experience that I’m getting is just what I needed at this stage of my career.

“We’ve had our highs – beating Celtic and drawing with Aberdeen – and our lows – getting beaten by Kilmarnock and being in the bottom half of the table – but it’s an experience I’m really benefiting from and enjoying.

“When I came up to Scotland to play in the Premiership I knew it would be a tough challenge but I had to take the chance.

“It’s not like playing for Boro’s reserves, you're playing with playing for your team-mates’ livelihoods. The wages aren’t as high in Scotland as they are back in England so there’s a lot at stake for everybody. You don’t want to let your team-mates down.

“You do learn so much from the experience and I came here willing to learn.

“We don’t play in front of 20,000 fans each week, the attendances up here can be as low as 3-4,000 at some clubs, though it’s more like 40,000 at Celtic and beating them in front of that many fans was surreal.”

PT: How have you found the Motherwell players and management?

CR: “I’ve got the likes of Stephen ‘Mick’ McManus and Scott McDonald up here with me and they’ve been great, they’ve been able to help and advise me. I know them both from their time at Boro, of course.

“Mick (McManus) has been brilliant with me, I’ve got a lot of time for him. He has helped me so much here and he was a big help when he was at Boro.

“I can’t thank him enough.

Stephen McManus during his time at Boro

“Scotty isn’t always the easiest person to get along with but his intentions are great, he’s a winner.

“He’s also been a big help.

“Mick always speaks fondly about his time at Boro and how great the fans and the staff at the club were. In fact they have both spoken about how great the fans were at Boro.

“It helps that there are such a good bunch of lads here, without them I wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. It’s such a friendly club.

“The gaffer (Mark McGhie) has been brilliant with me since I came here. He’s shown trust in me and has faith in me and that has helped me a lot.”

PT: What about the fans, I hear you’ve got your own song?

CR: “I’ve had plenty of grief from the opposition fans. I don’t think too many Scots like Englishmen but, then again, it sometimes feels like not many Englishmen like Englishmen, you get stick everywhere, that’s football.

“It thickens your skin and that’s useful. I remember when I played at Reading when I was 18 (March 5, 2011) and people were screaming at me, I was petrified.

Connor Ripley in action for Motherwell. Picture: Motherwell FC

“With time and experience you learn to deal with it, you learn how to get through it without letting it affect you.

“The Motherwell fans have been brilliant and, yes, they have got a chant for me.

“Also, at the end of the game when we have won at home I swing on the crossbar, that’s become something they expect me to do!”

PT: Off the field, what’s it like living away from home in Scotland.

CR: “Motherwell have been brilliant to me. I was in a hotel for one night when I got here but they then sorted out an apartment straight away. It’s in a nice area in Hamilton, 10 minutes from the stadium – it’s perfect.

“Instead of being in a hotel for 10 months I’ve got a nice place of my own.

“I’m just enjoying playing every week, I love playing football so this is just what I wanted, I don’t want to be a keeper who just sits out every game picking up his money.”

PT: You’re at Motherwell for the rest of the season, but what’s the aim further down the line?

CR: “Next season is a big season for me.

“It all depends, I suppose, on which division we are in next season. If Boro are in the Premier League I could see us bringing another experienced keeper and I would think if that happens I would go back out on loan, hopefully to the Championship or League One.

“If Boro are in the Championship, though, I would welcome the chance to fight for a place in the starting line-up.

Connor Ripley

“My aim all along, from being a little kid, has been to be the No1 goalkeeper for Boro, I have always wanted that.

“Now I know how hard it is to establish yourself as a No1 and it’s just as hard to stay there.

“I have no problem battling for a place in the team. It’s my intention to fight for the shirt but if the gaffer wants to me to go out on loan again I’ll hopefully go to a Championship club.”

PT: Keepers traditionally establish themselves later in their careers than outfield players, is that still the case?

CR: “There are plenty of keepers my age playing first team football - I’m just waiting for my chance.

“In my view age is a just a number, if you are good enough you are old enough.

“Look at Jordan Pickford (Preston), Jack Butland (Stoke), Thibaut Cortois (Chelsea), they are all around my age and they are playing first team football.

Jack Butland of Stoke City

“Experience, especially for a keeper, is massive and that’s why I’m at Motherwell.

“I was naïve when I was 18-19, thinking ‘I should be playing’, but looking back it was right that I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with it. I believe I am capable of it now though.

PT: What would it mean to achieve your ambition of being Boro’s No1?

CR: “When I was down at Southampton or Blackburn, when my dad played for those clubs, I always supported Boro.

“It’s where I’m from, it’s where my family is from, it’s the club my dad started his career and was a big name for the club so I would love to play for Boro and I’ve always wanted to.

“I signed a new three-year contract last year so I’ve still got two years left at the end of this season.”

Connor Ripley with Ben Gibson

PT: Boro’s stated aim this season is automatic promotion, how do you think the club is doing?

CR: “I really do fancy us, look at how we have been playing this season and the new players that we have brought in. They give us an edge to get us to the Premier League.

“We don’t want to go through the play-offs, I don’t think my heart could take it. I was on the bench for the final.”

PT: You mentioned the play-off final against Norwich at Wembley, what do you remember about the day?

CR: “To be honest it was unreal. It passed me by so quickly, I wish I had someone alongside me all day recording what was happening.

“Just walking onto the pitch for the warm up there was a sea of red at one of the stadium. The noise was incredible, you couldn’t hear yourself think, even shouting to each other as we warmed up, it was impossible to hear any further than five yards away. You had to scream to make yourself heard.

“I think everything happens for a reason, we didn’t go up but we’ve improved the team by bringing some great players and we’re second in the Championship.

Albert Adomah and Connor Ripley

“I cheer Boro on even though I’m not there.”

PT: Last season you won a place on the bench in February and kept it, that must have been a boost?

CR: “The gaffer thought I was good enough and Leo put a lot of faith in me, he’s a very good goalkeeping coach.

“We are very similar and that’s why we get on. Leo has helped me ever since he came here, he said I am his little project and I don’t want to let him down.”

PT: Finally, Teesside has been in mourning for Ali Brownlee. What was your reaction on hearing the sad news of his passing?

CR: “He was such a big personality. I listened to his commentaries all the time, particularly when I was younger, and he was brilliant. I am absolutely devastated.

“He deserves every bit of praise he has been getting. He was one of the nicest men you could wish to meet.